Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain on Friday accused the Centre of using the Delhi Police as “instrument” against AAP MlAs and said full Statehood to the national Capital is the “sole solution to harassment” of legislators.
Replying to a short duration discussion on police allegedly targeting the ruling party MlAs and DCW chief Swati Maliwal in the Assembly, Jain picked on Prime Minister and lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung over the issue and claimed that country was being governed through British colonial rules.
“In a TV interview, the l-G had challenged the Aam Aadmi Party to win 282 seats in lok Sabha election if it wants full Statehood status to Delhi. Before Delhi Assembly polls, we had also been asked by BJP and Congress to contest elections if we want corruption-free governance. They challenged us and finally we won with blessing of people in the Assembly elections.
“I hope that the l-G’s remarks will turn into reality and we will make Delhi a full State with the help of people,” he said.
He said in the last one-and-a-half year, out of 67 AAP MlAs, 12 have been arrested by police on various charges, but in other States, MlAs and MPs are not targeted at such large scale in country.
“During Emergency period in India, police had been misused against people. Centre has created Emergency like situation in Delhi and is busy in getting our MlAs arrested. But, I want to make it clear that we will not afraid of threats, arresting and will continue to work for people,” the Home Minister said.
Taking part in the discussion on the issue, AAP MlA Sarita Singh criticised the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) for raiding the office of Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal who fights for women’s issues. “Since Maliwal has assumed office, she has solved 400 cases, but she was deliberately being targeted,” another MlA Bhawna Gaur said.